Monday, December 27, 2010

Hereville How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch

Mirka is not interested in knitting, getting a man, or her brother's warnings.  She just wants a sword to fight dragons!

Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams, has published this hardcover graphic novel and sent me a copy for review (thank you).  This book is written for grades 4-7 and is currently available at your local bookstore.

Mirka is a normal 11-year-old Orthodox Jewish girl with an abnormal desire:  she wants to fight dragons.  She's too outspoken and opinionated to get along well with her family and friends, but she's determined to do things "her way".  When she steals a grape and gets annoyed by a pig who steals her homework, she begins to lose control.  Even worse, nobody believes it's a pig eating her homework.  Jews don't raise pigs.  She's ruining her sister's chances at marriage by acting weird...

I wasn't sure how Mr. Deutsch was going to make this story work out:  A witch, an angry Jewish girl and misfortunes all around.  But he does a very good job of working his way around the issues and teaching everyone in the story some valuable lessons.

There is enough action in the story to keep you interested.  The graphic novel makes it like reading a comic book, but better.  And when Mirka runs into the troll and has to use her wits to survive, you won't want to put the book down until you see how it ends.

Visit your local bookstore and pick up a copy.  Mirka's character will make them smile.

Happy reading!

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